Assessment of Disaster Preparedness of Mussel Farm Operating in Bacoor Bay, Cavite

Date

5-2017

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Mar B. Cruz

Committee Member

Dinah Pura T. Depositario, Melodee Marciana E. De Castro, Agnes T. Banzon

Abstract

This research assessed the disaster preparedness of mussel farms in Bacoor Bay, Cavite. This study presented the profile of the mussel farms and farmer, discussed their behavioral characteristics, determined the mussel farms’ current pre- and post-disaster practices, discussed their perceived level of preparedness, and analyzed factors related to disaster preparedness. This study employed a descriptive research design. Non-probability sampling was used to complete the 56 respondents surveyed.

Most of the mussel farmers that participated in the study were male, aged 51 to 60 years old and have been in mussel aquaculture for 10 to 20 years. Majority of the respondents surveyed were classified as low-income earner and poor. Family involvement in the farm was limited and primarily managed only by the mussel farmers.

By and large, mussel farms in Bacoor bay were small-scale with less than 1 hectare farm area and less than 2 workers employed during staking and harvesting. Traditional stake method was the predominantly used method of culture. Sources of financing for working capital were mostly taken from the farmer’s personal savings while others go to their relatives for loans. Mussels were brought to the market through traders and bulk buyers.

The behavioral characteristics of the mussel farmers such risk perception, locus of control, optimistic bias and self-efficacy, which were said to be related to disaster preparedness, were discussed. Majority of the farmers was noted to have a high perceived risk in terms of capital, supply and market. Almost all of the farmers exhibited an internal locus of control and could be said to believe that they were accountable over the things that happened to them. When asked how much of a threat a typhoon was to their farms compared to other farms, most of the farmers expressed that their farm would probably be negatively affected. Lastly, the farmers were found to have high self-efficacy in terms of disaster preparedness and perceived that their preparations would significantly reduce the damage of typhoon to their home.

In spite of the obvious need for preparedness measures, only half of the respondents were said to adopt pre-disaster measures. The other half who did not have any pre-disaster practices expressed that preparing for typhoon was unnecessary and futile. Most pre-disaster practices done by farmers were: tying attached mussels around the stakes, strengthening of bamboo poles structures, and removing/emptying their kubo. On the other hand, post-disaster practices, which were more regularly practiced by farmers, were mainly focused on re-establishing their farm plots such as repairing damages and adding new stakes/balags as replacement for damaged plots.

Based on the farmers’ self-evaluation of their preparedness level, it was assessed that they were sufficiently prepared in terms of labor, supply, and market aspects but were unprepared in terms of capital.

Factors that were found to have the most association with the farmer’s preparedness level, particularly to capital preparedness, although weak, are farm size and income. Likewise, factors related to owner’s characteristics indicated association with preparedness level but reported a minimal correlation.

To address the problems caused by typhoon and increase the resiliency of the farms, the following recommendations were made. For farmers, it was recommended that they diversify to formal sources of capital, improve or alter their production method and increase awareness on disasters and preparedness. For the support sector, a national disaster management plan focused on aquaculture could be formulated. The government is also recommended to intensify efforts to reduce capital risks faced by farmers through programs such as loans and insurance. Lastly, universities and other research and development institutions could spearhead technological improvements and come up with a highly resilient method of mussel culture the farmers can adopt.

It is suggested in future researches that probability sampling with a larger number of respondents should be employed. Researchers could also develop and validate a preparedness level index to accurately evaluate the disaster preparedness of respondents and for the preparedness level to be objectively quantified. Likewise, the measurement of behavioral factors related to disaster preparedness could still be improved and prospective research could be dedicated to designing a more comprehensive scale or index to quantify these factors.

Language

English

LC Subject

Mussel industry, Mussel culture

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993 2017 M17 Z35

Notes

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Document Type

Thesis

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